Korg miniKORG 700 (1973)

Name: Korg miniKORG
Brand: Korg

At $995, it broke the price barrier for analog synthesis. Korg's first mass-produced synth wasn't flashy, but it was finally within reach.

Overview

The Korg miniKORG 700 wasn't designed to win beauty contests. It arrived in 1973 as a no-frills, monophonic analog synthesizer for musicians who wanted hands-on sound design without the cost of Moog or ARP systems. It has 37 full-sized keys and a fully analog signal path, and it does real subtractive synthesis in a compact box. It's short on features, but every knob and slider acts directly on the sound. That makes it a very tactile way into analog synthesis.

This was Korg's first mass-produced synthesizer, and it shows. The build is utilitarian and the layout is functional rather than intuitive. Under the plain metal case is a capable analog engine. It has a single voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) generating triangle, sawtooth, and square waveforms. That was standard for the era, but some describe the tone as sharper than Moog and less rounded than Roland. An LFO is present for vibrato and basic modulation. The filter section is not detailed in the documentation, but it delivers the expected sweep and snarl of early '70s subtractive design. The synth is fully editable, so players can build their own sounds from scratch, which was a rare feature at this price in 1973.

Collectors often get confused about the relationship between the original 700 and the later 700S. According to available documentation, the 700S added a second oscillator and other refinements, but the core circuit design stayed fundamentally the same. The original 700 has one VCO and that's it. It runs on AC power only, with no battery option, and outputs a line-level signal, so users must provide their own amplifier or recording interface. There are no built-in speakers, no audio input for processing external signals, and no pedal inputs. It is a dedicated monophonic synth.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Korg
Model	miniKORG 700
Type	Monophonic analog synthesizer
Production Year	1973
Number of Keys	37
Key Size	Full
Key Weight	Synth
Touch Sensitive	no
Aftertouch	no
Polyphony	1
Sound Generation	Analog
Synthesis Type	Subtractive
Oscillator	1 VCO
Oscillator Waveforms	triangle, sawtooth, square
LFO	yes
Timbrality	1 part
Sounds Editable	yes
Recorder/Sequencer	no
MIDI	no
USB	no
Tablet Connectivity	no
AC Power	yes
Batteries	no
Speakers	no
Audio Out	yes
Audio In	no
Sustain Pedal	no
Soft Pedal	no
Expression Pedal	no
Original Price	$995

Key Features

Single VCO with Core Waveforms

The miniKORG 700 has one voltage-controlled oscillator. It generates triangle, sawtooth, and square waveforms, each with a distinct character when fed through the filter. The sawtooth has a bright, brassy edge suited to leads and basses. The square wave is hollow and reedy and cuts through mixes. The triangle wave is softer and more mellow, and works well for sub-bass or flute-like tones. Some sources mention "two oscillators," but this appears to refer to the later 700S. The original 700 is consistently documented as having a single VCO. That forces players to focus on modulation and envelope shaping rather than layering.

Subtractive Analog Architecture

As a subtractive analog synthesizer, the miniKORG 700 follows the classic signal path: oscillator → filter → amplifier, with modulation routed via LFO and envelope. The documentation gives no detailed filter specifications, so some ambiguity remains. The entire system is analog, with no digital components in the signal chain, which contributes to its warm, slightly unpredictable character.

Built-in Analog Modulation Effects

Beyond the standard synthesis controls, the miniKORG 700 includes what some describe as "strange analog effects."

Historical Context

The miniKORG 700 was Korg's official entry into the synthesizer market as a mass-producer. Priced at $995 - under £350 in the UK - it was the first synthesizer to break the $1,000 barrier, which put analog synthesis within reach of gigging musicians and home studios. Synths were still exotic, expensive instruments dominated by American and German brands. By offering a functional, editable analog synth at half the price of its rivals, Korg carved out a new market segment. The 700, 700S, and 800DV formed a family of sibling models, each refining the formula.

Collectibility & Value

The miniKORG 700 has grown in reputation among vintage synth enthusiasts. As of June 2012, market prices were reported to exceed $1,000. A serviced unit with serial number 50267 was listed by Soundgas as "fully serviced and in excellent working order," which suggests professional restoration is available. Details on common failures or maintenance needs are sparse. One owner recounted buying a Mini-Korg grudgingly for $200 as a placeholder, only to discover its unique character.